Practical semester: An experience report

Veronika Heuner: Hello Max! Why don't you start by introducing yourself?

Max Hölzen: Briefly about myself: My name is Max Hölzen, I am 26 years young and have almost completed my e-government studies. I am currently in my practical semester and am writing a supervised bachelor's thesis at suresecure. Before studying at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, I successfully completed an apprenticeship as an IT specialist in the field of system integration.

Thank you Max! How did you come to join us at suresecure?

The path to suresecure came unexpectedly and against my actual plan. But as you know in life, the best things happen unexpectedly.

I started with a presentation at the annual E-Government University Day at my university. There I presented a short slot about a customer project focussing on explorative data analysis to the auditorium. You were also present at this event. A few days after the event, I received an invitation to meet you in person, which I accepted out of curiosity. The conversation was very pleasant and convincing. From the very first contact with you and Jona Ridderskamp, I could sense the positive and open manner that you both radiate.

What are your tasks with us?

I am currently supporting colleagues in various areas in order to gain experience and be able to work independently as an advisor/consultant in the future. In the future, I will establish myself as the main contact person for Varonis. In addition to my consulting activities, I will also be responsible for the maintenance and validation of existing systems, as well as the installation of solutions from our product portfolio.

After my internship semester, I will be employed as a technical consultant for Varonis based on the experience I have gained.

The focus is not on advancement in the company, instead the focus is on the work and the joy of what is created together every day.

Anonym

And how did you perceive us as a company during your internship semester?

One thought keeps popping into my head: "suresecure thinks differently." For me, suresecure stands for unconventional approaches and breaking with traditional rules and processes where necessary. Well-established structures are critically scrutinised and challenges are solved in an uncomplicated way. This creates a completely new form of dynamism.

Through my internships, I have already been able to gain an insight into a wide variety of companies and familiarise myself with their everyday life and structures in numerous projects. All the companies I got to know had one thing in common: work is a clearly defined area in the lives of employees and is seen as a necessity in order to earn a living. Hierarchical structures and climbing the career ladder often take centre stage.

With suresecure, things are different: hierarchical structures are abstracted and are only used where they increase productivity or are necessary for the processes. Advancement within the company is not at the centre of attention, instead the focus is on the work and the joy of what is created together on a daily basis. Every employee is encouraged and supported in their individual strengths, both at work and beyond. Personal development and interpersonal relationships are clearly prioritised, both with each other and with the customer. In addition, the individual and strength-orientated approach unleashes a high degree of potential and motivation among employees. This approach to work allows employees a remarkable degree of freedom in organising their day-to-day work, which, contrary to my initial expectations, actually only has a positive effect on work performance.

In suresecure, work is no longer a foreign place, you build a deeper relationship. Work is not a compulsory and "annoying" task that has to be fulfilled in order to earn one's daily bread. Personally, I would compare working life at suresecure to a meeting between friends.

This company manages to turn Confucius' famous quote "Choose a job you love and you won't have to work a day in your life" into reality. And to a new, previously unknown extent. In conclusion, I can only praise you and say "hats off" to all employees for this achievement.

Thank you very much for the interview and for working with us, Max!

Practical semester: A field report